NEW figures have been released which the SNP claims show the effectiveness of its controversial football laws, with three quarters of prosecutions successful.
The figures, published by Scotland's chief statistician, show a rise in prosecutions under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act, with 132 people were convicted for offences under the legislation 2015-16, compared to 86 and 76 in the previous two years.
The total number of people proceeded against by the Crown almost doubled from 96 in 2014-15 to 175 proceedings in 2015-16, with a conviction rate of 75 per cent.
However, Labour responded with the publication of figures which showed the percentage of successful prosecutions dropping, describing it as "a humiliating blunder from the SNP".
The figures come as opposition parties at the Scottish Parliament move to repeal the Act, with a vote last year showing the majority in Holyrood against the legislation.
The Act has also been opposed by many in the legal profession, football clubs and prominent figures within civic Scotland but support by others, including LGBT groups, which have voiced calls for it to be extended.
SNP MSP James Dornan said: “These figures show that the Offensive Behaviour Act continues to be a valuable tool in tackling sectarianism – and the attempts to scrap the legislation show the opposition have staggeringly skewed priorities.
“It is absolutely extraordinary that the opposition parties consider scrapping an anti-sectarian law to be one of the biggest issues facing the country, a law which evidence shows the vast majority of people across Scotland as a whole support.
“At a time when the SNP Government is focussed on education, health, jobs, the economy and protecting Scotland’s place in Europe, other parties would rather see us remove legislation that tackles sectarianism, prejudice and discrimination whilst offering no alternative in its place.
“It is time that the opposition parties got their priorities in order, backed efforts to tackle sectarianism and other hate crimes, and focused on the other issues that really matter to people in Scotland.”
But Labour's James Kelly said: "The figures show clearly that conviction rates have actually fallen in the last year, despite the increased number of proceedings on the Football Act.
“This desperate spin to protect a failed Act will fool no one. If SNP ministers are serious about tackling sectarianism they would be investing in education, rather than cutting £327m from local authorities, which are at the forefront of tackling intolerance.
“The response to my public consultation on repealing the Act was the most popular in Holyrood history, and presented an overwhelming majority in favour of repeal. The SNP should show some humility, back my bid to scrap the Act and focus on tackling sectarianism in classrooms and communities."
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